In Congo, activists look to Pope to boost forest protections


              Pope Francis waves after celebrating Holy Mass at Ndolo airport in Kinshasa, Congo, Wednesday Feb. 1, 2023. Local climate activists in Congo are hoping Pope Francis' visit will help spur action to protect the country's rainforest from oil and gas interests. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
            
              FILE - This Dec. 11, 2016, photo shows the Virunga National Park, taken from the rim of the crater of the Nyiragongo volcano and looking over the crater of another, extinct volcano, in North Kivu Province, in Congo. Parts of Congo's rainforest are up for oil and gas auction and several climate activist groups are petitioning the Pope to support their stance opposing fossil fuels investments. (Juergen Baetz/dpa via AP, File)
            
              Pope Francis arrives at Ndolo airport to celebrate Holy Mass in Kinshasa, Congo, Wednesday Feb. 1, 2023. Local climate activists in Congo are hoping Pope Francis' visit will help spur action to protect the country's rainforest from oil and gas interests. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
In Congo, activists look to Pope to boost forest protections